Hacking R4 Timebomb

[Durelle]

I keep hearing/reading about a Timebomb that the r4 has, are these with clones

I'm only curious because I have a r4 and it still works after a few years.

 

[NFates]

Note that carts with a “Time Bomb” will no longer be able to launch .nds files when they detect that the system clock has passed a date determined by the flashcart firmware. One method to bypass this is to set the system clock to an earlier date.

Source.

 

[Durelle]

Yeah I got that, I should've specified. How do I check if mine has a Timebomb.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I keep hearing/reading about a Timebomb that the r4 has, are these with clones

I'm only curious because I have a r4 and it still works after a few years.

The original R4 has no such thing. Most of the clones (but not all) do.
Edit: If you've had it for years without updating the kernel then it doesn't have a timebomb. The expiry date will be set 1 or 2 years after the release date of the kernel, and once passed, the cart requires a new kernel to work unless you set the date back (which causes other issues, mainly with SSL certificates as those have a set time period in which they are valid)

 

[Durelle]

The original R4 has no such thing. Most of the clones (but not all) do.

Yeah it's why in trying to figure out if mine is a clone or not

 

[The Catboy]

That cart has a timebomb, you need to use Retro's files to bypass it
https://gbatemp.net/threads/retrogamefan-updates-releases.267243/

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Yeah it's why in trying to figure out if mine is a clone or not

Read my edit

 

[Kioku]

The Timebomb generally only applies to cards with a year attached to it. Like mine says "2018 Edition"

 

[Durelle]

That cart has a timebomb, you need to use Retro's files to bypass it
https://gbatemp.net/threads/retrogamefan-updates-releases.267243/

From what @The Real Jdbye said it's 1-2 years, I think I've had it for 4-5 so I think I'm safe. And if it's just as easy as putting a new kernel whenever it expires (if it does) then I should be fine

-edit-
Should I stay on my current kernel tough? Or are other ones any better?

 

[The Catboy]

From what @The Real Jdbye said it's 1-2 years, I think I've had it for 4-5 so I think I'm safe. And if it's just as easy as putting a new kernel whenever it expires (if it does) then I should be fine

-edit-
Should I stay on my current kernel tough? Or are other ones any better?

You should switch to the kernel that I just posted

 

[Durelle]

You should switch to the kernel that I just posted

Ok I'll look to do that later tonight, I'm assuming save files are universal right?

 

[The Catboy]

Ok I'll look to do that later tonight, I'm assuming save files are universal right?

The save files are universal

 

[kuwanger]

How do I check if mine has a Timebomb.

Simplest test is just to set your time far in the future (2030) and see if you get an error starting up. I wouldn't go on the "had it for x years without issues" because not all makers seem to be as consistent as updating it every n years.

 

[Durelle]

Set it to 2035 and your right

 

[Durelle]

Honestly dont think i can use YSMenu as a primary load. the guide you posted @Lilith Valentine .

I just get a white screen with a red "MENU?" im able to load it as a dual boot, but that wont work once it timebombs...

-EDIT-

A quick google search found me the r4 dat file i needed and it boots up. so looks like im good

 

[Deleted User]

I keep hearing/reading about a Timebomb that the r4 has

Has this got something to do with the latest Temper Tantrums?

 

[Durelle]

Has this got something to do with the latest Temper Tantrums?

No, it's just something I noticed for the last year hearing people talk about it, so I thought I would look into it now instead of panicking in the future.

 

[Deleted User]

No, it's just something I noticed for the last year hearing people talk about it, so I thought I would look into it now instead of panicking in the future.

Ahh ok, just a bit of a coincidence as that comic was the first time I heard of the timebomb.

 

[Durelle]

Ahh ok, just a bit of a coincidence as that comic was the first time I heard of the timebomb.

Ah k, well now you know

 

[The Real Jdbye]

From what @The Real Jdbye said it's 1-2 years, I think I've had it for 4-5 so I think I'm safe. And if it's just as easy as putting a new kernel whenever it expires (if it does) then I should be fine

-edit-
Should I stay on my current kernel tough? Or are other ones any better?

Well, as long as you kept the kernel up to date (and they kept releasing updates) then you wouldn't run into the timebomb. It only becomes an issue if the team stops supporting the cart either because they want you to buy a newer cart or because they've disappeared.